Do you remember around the end of 2019, there were all of these jokes about how 2020 was going to be the year of vision, clarity, and focus? Boy, did we get blindsided. Ironically, what’s been quite eye-opening is how we’ve adapted in ways we may have never considered in the past.
In hindsight 20/20 in 2020 led to perfect vision metaphorically speaking. Most of us were so far-sighted, that there was no way to predict what was about to happen. And as we progressed through the eponymous year, it became worse day by day. Along with the new decade and the feeling of fresh beginnings, I can’t help but feel a real sense of pride in myself for the things I’ve actually managed to accomplish during the pandemic. I was able to take control of my life and concentrate on the legacy that I want to leave, but that required making a choice and not relying on hindsight. What I learned was the clarity of vision will only be bestowed after there is clarity of choice. From the pandemic to the presidential election, 2020 was all about choices. And now, with a respectable amount of renewed fuel in the tank, the growing confidence in my abilities to achieve my goals, I am ready to face this new year with the sort of clarity that the number of the year 2020 implied.
Although, some 2020 moments had the tendency to cause a decent amount of anxiety as to what to do next. I’m sure anyone else who’s ever arrived at the metaphorical finish line can relate, you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Questions about where to go and what to do with ourselves seep into our thoughts more than ever at times of transition. It’s not that I don’t feel these things myself, but I made a choice to do everything in my power to convert that nervous energy into directional determination. After having your world turned upside down, it’s obvious enough premise for a manufactured resolve, and even in distress, when you can’t see the stars aligning for you, you don’t turn tail. You buckle up and face the fear. You pull the anchor and ride the tide.
This new year isn’t a time when we should delude ourselves once again into thinking we need to wipe the slate clean or start things fresh. There is no “new year, new me” magic wand. Cliché phrases like this may act as a novel idea at the moment, and may even spawn a few questionable resolutions, but the truth behind it is that the phrase itself implies that the transformation into a “new you” is some instantaneous moment of metamorphosis. That at the crack of midnight, a bolt of beautification will Cinderella-strike your weary life and you’ll be thrust into an existence utterly foreign to the previous number of years you’ve been alive. Unfortunately, that’s not how this works. After living in sweatpants for this long, you don’t immediately put on a glass slipper. Perhaps just start by putting on pants that zip.
True vision, real sight, comes from the patience of a realized eye. First, you need to understand and appreciate the importance and necessity of the long haul. If you can find it within yourself not to get caught up in the fleeting nature of short-sighted excitement, or of allowing those quick bursts of novelty to give you a false sense of accomplishment, you can take that shallow sight and extend it into a path that will reach your long-term goals. Clarity of mind begins with solidifying the importance of the time you have left. Without the necessary effort, it takes to remain loyal to your convictions and keep the road ahead of you clear of hindrance and vice, of distraction and inaction, you will forever remain on the cusp of genuine realization. This year, this day, this moment will be as pivotal of a time as you make it.
The moment is staring you in the face and all you have to do is wipe your eyes and lookup. If we can keep our minds clear, and our expectations open enough to seize the opportunities that wander across our path, we should easily be able to manifest the lives of our choosing along the way. Decisiveness is the skeleton key to the doors of your desires. If you choose to make your time in this human existence count, it will count. If you choose to adopt meaning into your life, your life will start to have meaning. There is no ultimate recipe for what makes a person whole, only suggestions for ingredients that have worked for others. It’s our job to taste test what works best for each of us.
Amid all this uncertainty, concern about our very livelihoods stands out. Self-discovery doesn’t necessarily mean going out and beginning a new journey away from your current life to find yourself. It can be different for each person, but the ultimate goal is to find a sense of balance in life. In short, the best way to self-discovery and happiness is through the journey and finding positive meaning in the small things in life. So, with that, I am choosing to see 2021 with clear eyes. I will pass into this new year on a path of a light guiding my way. And on the days, I feel less than optimistic, well that is what my glasses are for.
New Year’s Day Hoppin’ John
INGREDIENTS
- 6 ounces of country ham, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
- 1 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 3 15-ounce cans blacked eyed peas
- 1 box Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice Mix with seasoning packet
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 large handfuls (about 4 loose cups) of collard greens (any dark green will work)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Hot Sauce
- Sliced green onions
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven. Add ham and cook for 3-4 mins or until slightly browned.
- Add onion and sauté until tender 5-7 min.
- Add garlic, thyme, and cayenne, and cook until fragrant.
- Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce temperature and simmer for 10 min.
- Add rice with a seasoning packet and chicken broth. Simmer for 20 min.
- Add chopped collard greens and cook for an additional 10 min.
- Season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce if needed.
- Top with green onions.
Mimi's Buttermilk Cornbread
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup flour
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk (regular milk will work, too)
- 1 cup cornmeal
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees and liberally butter your pan.
- In a small mixing bowl measure out sugar, and softened butter then cream together.
- In a large mixing bowl, measure out the flour, salt, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
- In a medium bowl beat one egg and buttermilk together.
- Whisk the milk and egg mixture into the butter mixture.
- Mix the liquid mixture into the flour mixture. Do not over-mix.
- Add in cornmeal and stir until just combined.
- Pour into your buttered pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal (or polenta)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or white granulated sugar)
- 1teaspoon baking powder (optional: yields a fluffier cornbread)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk shake before measuring
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400F and position a rack in the middle. Lightly grease a 9-inch cast iron skillet or 9-inch square baking dish with butter and place skillet/dish into the oven to heat up.
- (Alternatively for cast iron skillets: heat 1/2 cup of unmelted butter in your cast iron over stove top on medium heat until melted, turn heat off then allow the butter to cool slightly before adding to the batter.)
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder (If using), baking soda and salt.
- Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk, honey and eggs. Mix together well to combine, then add in the slightly cooled melted butter. Mix again until 'just' combined (don't over mix).
- Carefully remove your 'hot' pan or dish from the oven with oven mitts, and pour the batter into the hot skillet or dish. Listen to that sizzle! That's what you want.
- Bake until the cornbread begins to brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (about 20-23 minutes). Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- For croutons: Cut bread into cubes. Melt ¼ cup butter and drizzle over croutons. Heat at 350F for 15 min or until slightly hardened. Turn croutons midway. Drizzle with honey.
